Pumping system



Dec. 4 1,518,890

1B. S. All (MAN PUMPING SYSTEM Filed March 12, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 SUCTION PUMP B. s. AIKMAN PUMPING SYSTEM Filed March 1.2, 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 9, 1924.

v UNITED STATES 1,518,890 PATENT OFFICE.

BURTON S. AIKMAN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNO'R TO NATIONAL BRAKE & ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSINv A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

PUMPING SYSTEM.

Application filed March 12, 1921. Serial No. 451,713;

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BURTON S. ArKMAN,a citizen of the United States, residing at Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Pumping Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part'of this specification.

My invention relates to pumping systems of the suction pump type which discharge directly to a supply tank connected to the cqinsumption system of a residence or the 'li. e.

The main object of my invention is to provide a pumping system which automatically operates to keep a supply of liquid in the supply tank between certain upper and lower predetermined levels.

One of the outstanding advantages of this system is the elimination of a storage tank, the supply tank being made to serve this purpose also.

A further object is the provision of an automatic pumping apparatus wherein power is obtained for actuating the pump from a feed or service wire in the buildin in connection with means, controlled by t e liquid level in the supply tank for automatically starting and stopping the motor when the level of the liquid falls below and rises above the predetermined levels respectively.

Another object of the invention is to provide a valve opening mechanism which automatically opens the suction pipe to atmospheric pressure, independently of Whether the motor is shut off or started, with means controlled by the water level in the supply tank, said means automatically opening and closing said valve when the water falls below and reaches the predetermined level respectively.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the features of con- 'struction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In order that those skilled in the art may the supply tank showing the location of the motor, the pump, the level controlled valve and various other parts essential to successful operation of the system.

F'gure 2 is an enlarged view of the valve operating mechanism of Figure 1, showing an alternative embodiment of a valve operating and shut-01f mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of the atmosphere admission valve shown in Fig.3.

The system of my invention comprises a motor operated suction pump 1 connected to the upper or suction compartment 40 of the tank 2 by a suction pipe 3. The tank 2 is divided into two compartments 40 and 41 by an air-tight horizontal partition 4 containing a counterweighted valve 5. A supply pipe 6 containing a check valve 7 connects the upper compartment 40 of the tank 2 with the source of supply 8. A discharge pipe 9 leads from the bottom or supply compartment 41 of the tank 2 to the distributing system,- and a vent pipe 10 is connected to the lower compartment 41 as shown.

Thethrow-out switch 12 and valve 11 for opening the suction pipe 3 to atmospheric pressure are operated by a toggle joint 21 formed by the levers 13, 20 and the spring 22, which are connected to the float 16 by the rod 15 and the lever 14. The throw-out switch 12 is connected in the circuit of the motor by the conductors 17 and 17 which, in turn, are connected to the source of power through a switch 18. The lever 14 plyots about a diaphragm 19 which is water-tight and seals off the valve space from the tank proper. I

The alternative embodiment indicated 1n Figure 3 shows an atmospheric valve 23 operated by the toggle joint 24 or by the diaphragm 25 for opening the suction plpe 3 to atmosphere. The toggle joint 24 1s composed of levers 26 and 27, and the springv 28, and operates the throw out switch 29 in addition to operating the valve 23. spring 30 tends to hold the diaphra m 25 1n position. The lever 26 is actuate by the rod 31 working through a slot 32, in the lever 26. The rod 31 is actuated by the lever 33 connected to the float 34. The suction pipe 3 is cut ofl' from tank 2 by a ball 35 clearly how the suction pipe can .be opened .to atmospherlc pressure.

Flgure 3 1s a cross sectional view showingwhich rises and falls with the water level in a tube 36 having apertures 37 as shown;

The operation of the system is as follows: Assuming that the supply compartment 41 of the tank 2- is empty or at a low level the float 16 is in such a position that the atmospheric pressure valve 11 and the throw out switch 12 are each closed; The throw out switch 12 being closed, the circuit is completed and the motor started which puts in operation the suction pump 1. Operation of the pump 1, with the'valve 11 closed tends to produce, a vacuum in the suction pipe 3, the suction compartment 40' of the tank 2 and the supply pipe 6 permitting the liquid to flow from the source of supply 8 through the supply pipe 6 and stop valve 7 into the suction compartment 40.

The counterbalanced valve 5 is adapted to be normally closed with verylittle pressure, but it is promptly sealed by the appli-' cation of suction to the compartment 40. This valve 5 is provided to permit dumping of the contents of the suction tank 40 into the storage or supply tank 41 when the pressures on the valve 5 are equalized. As the pressure is reduced in the suction tank 40 the liquid is driven by atmospheric pressure fromthe source of supply 8 up through the suction pipe 6 past the check valve 7 and into the compartment 40. Due to the act-ion of the suction the liquid rises in the upper compartment carrying with it the float 16 actuating the lever-14 pivoting in the watertight diaphragm 19. As the float 16 rises, it actuates the toggle joint 21 through the lever 14, the connecting rod 15 and the lever 13 bringing the toggle joint 21 down through its neutral position. The spring 22 is connected to the toggle joint 21 so as to snap and hold the joint open as soon as it passes its neutral position thereby opening the throw out switch 12 through the motion of the lever 20. This snapping of the toggle joint in its downward motion also opens the valve 11 by bringing the toggle joint 21 into contact with the head of the shank 38 of the valve 11, thereby opening the suction pipe to atmospheric pressure practically simultaneously with the opening of the throw out switch 12 and the resultant stopping of the suction pump 1.

As soon as the pressures are substantially equalized, that is to say, atmospheric pres sure is permitted to prevail in the suction tank 40, the liquidopens the valve 5 and flows down into the supply tank 41 and distributing pipe 9. As soon as the liquid drops to the point where the float 16 moves to low level position, the parts again come into'the position shown in Fig. 1, starting the suction pump 1 and proceeding to fill the suction tank 40; This operation is repeated until both the supply compartment 41 andthe suction compartment 40 are full, whereupon the apparatus awaits the drawing ofl of liquid through the distributing pipe 9.

Drawing off the liquid causes the lowering of the float 16 and the resultant raising of simultaneous starting of the pump 1 and.

closing of the suction pipe-3 from atmospheric pressure is eifected.

It is evident that .the above described mechanism provides a system which automatically operates to keep the liquid level between certain predetermined points.

In Figure 3 is shown an alternative mechanism for automatically starting and stop-- ping the suction pump 1 and closing and opening the suction pipe 3 to atmospheric pressure. Float 34 by itsrising and falling with the liquid level actuates the toggle joint 24 through the lever 33, the rod 31 and the lever 26. As the liquid level falls, the downward motion of 34 brings the projection 39 on the rod 31 into contact with the lever 26, and continued downward motion .of float 34 presses, lever 26 down until the toggle joint 24-passes its neutral position, when the spring 28 snaps it shut, closing the throw-out switch 29 and the valve 23, starting the suction pump 1 and closing the motor substantially simultaneously; The rising of the float 34 has no effect upon the switch and relief valve, the sole function of this float being to close the switch and-the relief valve, so that the pump will be started and suction applied to the suction chamber. -As soon as the level of liquid in the top chamber rises to a point adjacent the top of said chamber, the suction should be shut off and atmosphere should be admitted. For this purpose. the floating valve 35, which may be in the shape of a ball, a billet or the like, closes the opening in the seat 41, being floated to seat, with, the result that the suction of the pipe 3 rises to a relatively high point, causing operation of the diaphragm 25 to open theswitch and the atmosphere valve 23. This atmosphere valve is shown on an enlarged scale in Figure 4. and consists of the stem 45 having a reduced end 46, upon which the valve. 23 is slidably mounted. A spring 47 lies between the, bottom of the valve 23 and the shoulder 48 on the stem 45. The spring 47 is first compressed by the upward movement of the stem 45. and a point is finally reached when the coils of the spring are compressed against each other; and the positive motion of the rod- 45 is transmitted'to the valve 23, whereupon the valve is forced from its seat. At substantially the same time, the toggle switch is thrown to the open position. When this occurs, the compressor stops and atmosphere enters under the valve 23, permitting the floating valve to drop down in the slotted tube 36. As soon thereafter as the level in the upper tank drops to the predetermined low level, the float 3* will again operate the toggle mechanism to close the valve 23, and to close the switch 29. The operation is then repeated. It will be seen that the diaphragmis thus operated by an increase in suction in the pipe 3, the spring 42 which opposes this diaphragm being so adjusted as to permit this operation to occur within the limits of suction.

If desired, the rod 31 on the switch operating float valve may be provided with a collar 40, which assists in opening the switch against the action of the spring, adding its effort of buoyancy to the efi'ect of suction to open the valve and the switch, but this is not essential.

This device cannot be flooded because of the positive shut-off which occurs with the,

use of the-floating valve 35, and its seat 41.

A special advantage of each of these devices is that their positive action prevents any possibility of intermittent pump action around a neutral position.

The pump continues to operate uniformly unti the throw-out switch is snapped open, when it remains inoperative until the switch is snapped shut at a predetermined level of the liquid, which again sets the pump in operation to be continued until the'switch is again snapped open.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction and mode of operation of my improved pumping system will be readily understood, and it can be seen that the invention provides a suction pump operated by an electric motor combinedl with means controlled by the level of the liquid in the supply tank. to throw the motor into and out of operation whenever a replenishment of the supply tank up to a predetermined level is desired, combined with a device to prevent flooding of the pump, the arrangement being such that the apparatus requires slight or no attention care being necessary only to keepthe parts in good working order, thereby furnishing a safe, reliable and automatically operated pumping system of the suction pump type.

lVhile I have shown and described preferred embodiments of my invention, I re serve the right to make changes in the details thereof which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. The combination with a suction pump, a tank, a source of liquid supply, and a conduit connectings'aid pump with the source of liquid supply, of level-controlled means for opening and closing said conduit to atmospheric pressure and means operating simultaneously with said level controlled means for controlling the pump.

2. The combination with a suction pump, a tank, a source of liquid supply, and a conduit connecting said pumpwith the source of liquid supply, of level controlled means in said tank for opening and closing said conduit to atmospheric pressure and means operating simultaneously with said level controlled means for controlling the pump.

2}. The combination with a suction pump, a tank, a source of liquid supply, and a conduit connecting said pump with the source of liquid supply, of level controlled means for opening and closing said conduit to at-' mospheric pressure and means connected directly with said level controlled means for stopping and starting the pump simultaneously with said level con-trolled means.

4. The combinationwith a suction pump, a tank, a source of liquid supply, and a conduit connecting said pump with the source of liquid supply, of .level controlled means in said tank for opening and closing said conduit to atmospheric pressure and means connected directly with said level controlled means for stopping and starting the pump simultaneously with. said level controlled means.

5. Tl1e combination with a suction pump, a tank, a source of liquid supply, and a conduit connecting said pump with the source of liquid supply, of level controlled means for automatically opening and closing said conduit to atmospheric pressure, means connected directly with said level controlled means for automatically stopping and starting the pump simultaneously with said level controlled means.

6. The combination with a suction pump. a tank, a source of liquid supply. a suction pipe connecting the pump with the tank, a supply pipe connecting the source of supply with the supply tank, of level controlled means for automatically opening .and closing'said suction pipe to atmos 'iheric pressure, means connected directly with said level controlled means for automatically sopping and starting the pump simultaneously with said level controlled means and level controlled means for automatically sealing off said suction pipe from said tank.

'7. The combination with a suction pump, a tank, a source of liquidsupply, a suction pipe connecting the pump with the tank, a conduit connecting the source of supply with the tank,of level controlled means for automatically opening and closing the suctionpipe to atmospheric pressure, means connected directly with saidlevel controlled means forautomatically. stopping and start:

ing the pump simultaneously wit 1 said level cont-rolled means, level controlled means for automatically sealing ofl said suction pipe from said tank, and additional means for automatically opening said suction pipe to atmospheric pressure and simultaneously stopping said pump, said additional means being. actuated by pressure caused by different degrees of vacuity in the tank and the suction pipe.

8. The combination with a-suction pump, a tank, a source of liquidsupply, a suction pipe connecting'the pump with the tank, a conduit connecting the source of supply with the tank of level controlled means for automatically opening and closing the suction pipe to atmospheric pressure, and simultaneously stopping and starting the pump, additional means for opening 'the suction pipe to atmospheric pressure and stopping the pump, said additional means being actuated by pressure resulting from different degrees of vacuity in the supply tank and the suction pipe and operating through the same mechanism as the level controlled means for opening said pipe and stopping said pump and level controlled means for automatically sealing off the suction pipe irom the tank.

9. The combination with 'a suction pump, a tank, a source of liquid supply, a supply pipe connecting the source of supply with the tank, a suction pipe connecting the pump with the tank, a valve for opening and closing the suction pipe to atmospheric pressure, of a toggle for operating said valve and stopping and st'arting said pump, level controlled means for actuating said toggle, spring means for holding and accelerating the movement of said toggle away from its neutral position, additional means for actuating said toggle said additional means being controlled by pressure,

induced by different degrees of vacuity in the tank and the suction pipe and level controlled means for automatically sealing off the suction pipe from the tank.

10. In a liquid .fuel supply apparatus, a liquid receiving vessel having an outlet, a vacuum chamber having a liquid outlet to the vessel and a liquid inlet, and also in communication with an air vent port, an-

air pump having its cylinder connected to the vacuum chamber, an electrlc motor driving the pump, a switch controlling the motor circuit, a valve for the vent port, and

means r'or simultaneously operating said switch and valve.

11. In a liquid fuel supply apparatus, a liquid receiving vessel having an outlet, a vacuum ch'amber having a liquid outlet to the vessel and a liquid inlet, and.v also in communication with an air vent port, an air pump having its cylinder connected to the vacuum chamber, means for operating the pump, a valve for the vent port, and me'ans controlled by the liquid level in the apparatus for controlling the pump and the valve simultaneously.

12. In a device of the class described, a liquid receiving vessel having an outlet, a vacuum chamber having an outlet to the vessel and having a liquid inlet, an atmospheric vent valve-"for said chamber, an air pump for creating a suction in said vacuum chamber, an electric motor for driving the pump, a switch controlling the motor circuit, and common means for operating s'aid switch and said valve.

13. In a device of the class described, a

.liquid receiving vessel having an outlet, a

vacuum chamber having an outlet to the vessel and having a liquid inlet, an atmospheric vent valve for said chamber, an air pump for creating a suction in said vacuum chamber, an electric motor 'for driving the pump, a switch controlling the motor circuit, and common means foroperating said switch and said valve, and

means governed by the liquid contents of said chamber for controlling the operation of. said common means.

- 14. In combination, a liquid receiving vessel having an outlet, a vacuum chamber h'aving a liquid outlet to the vessel, and a liquid inletr, an air vent valve for said chamber, a suction pump. connected to said vacuum chamber, and level controlled means in the chamber for controlling the pump and the valve simultaneously.

15. In combination, a source of liquid, a

liquid receiving chamber, a vacuum chamber having a liquid inlet communicating with said source of liquid and having a liquid outlet communicating with said liquid receiving chamber, 1 an atmospherlc vent valve for said vacuum chamber, a suction pump connected to said "vacuum chamber; a motor therefor, a switch for the motor, and a float in one of said chambers for operating both the switch and the valve.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my n'ame this 9th day of March, 1921.

BURTON S. AIKMAN. 

